Cuatro Caminos [LIMITED EDITION]

Café Tacuba

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 2003)
• Original Release Date: July 1, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B00009VTYR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,295 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #36 in	Music > World Music > Rock
  #37 in	Music > Latin Music > Latin Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Cafe Tacuba come straight out of Mexico City with a spicy blend of rock en Espanol, with Jamaican ska/reggae and African-American hip-hop sonic seasonings. And unlike their counterparts, they've managed to keep the critics, record companies, and their fans happy. This CD, which translates as Four Ways, is their first full release since 1999. Lead guitarist/vocalist Elfego Buendía, keyboardist Emmanuel Del Real, bassist Enrique Rangel and guitarist Joselo Rangel--along with R.E.M. and Beck percussionists Victor Indrizio and Joey Waronker--deliver a more raw, stripped-down sound compared to their critically acclaimed recordings Re and Avalancha de Éxitos. Their long-time producer Gustavo Santaolalla is at the helm, but on this go- 'round, the quartet also works with producers Dave Fridmann and Andrew Weiss, who both manned the boards for the bands, Ween, Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev. From the high-powered video/single "Eo (el sonidero)" and "¿Qué pasará?" with special guest vocalist Rubén Albarrán (a.k.a. Elfego Buendía), to the philosophical "Mediodía," these tracks show that Cafe Tacuba is moving away from their alternative phase into a mature, Steely Dan type of mainstream sound. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Four Roads Lead In 1 Direction: Forward, October 7, 2003

By	Felipe Equihua "ekiwaroke" (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I started listening to Cafe Tacvba because they did a cover in Avalancha of Leo Dan's "Como Te Extraño", thinking it was their best song. I cannot explain how amazed I was when I listened to their original stuff, especially when Reves/Yosoy came out, which is probably the second greatest Rock En Español CD.

I say second, because Cuatro Caminos is by far the best CD ever created in Spanish Rock. Every song is an entity in itself, but when combined to create the album, the result is magnificent. The multiple state of minds reached through listening is astonishing. As an example, you begin with deep introspection with Cero y Uno, continue with silliness in Eo, and proceed with a feeling of loneliness in Mediodia(my favorite song in this album).The overall rating of this CD is unfortunate, since someone who does not know anything about Cafe Tacuba made the mistake of reviewing this CD. This is not a step back, this album only proves that with enough imagination and skill, Rock En Español can reach a uniqueness all its own, one that does not blatantly try to emulate the Rock that is North of the Border. You do not need to buy this CD based on what I say, but if you don't, there is one more treasure that I have found over you.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Album of the Year, October 21, 2003

By	Andrew Hansen "tripshaw" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In interviews, the boys of Cafe Tacuba have said that they didn't find their lack of English to be an obstacle in their appreciation of American rock. Likewise, they have refused to record in English, figuring that we should be able to get the point. As a monoliguist who only understands the language you are now reading, I admire the hell out of that. And I think I get it. At the very least, I think this is the best album I bought all year and I think it's the best thing Cafe Tacuba have yet done.

I use to be of the school of thought that believes "Re" is a masterpiece and that everything that deviates from it is a step backwards. I now think that's very limited. "Re" is a lot of fun (again, I can't speak to the lyrics but the music is certainly entertaining)but its mixture of recognizable genres could be seen a stunt, albeit a successful one. "Cuatro Caminos" is the work of a band with it's own voice. I can't wait for the next one.

I use to have a favorite song on the album but it changed this weekend. Next weekend it will probably be a different song.

I think it's time for me to learn a second language...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tomar el fresco, July 2, 2003

By	Billy Shakespeare (Ann Arbor, Mich.) - See all my reviews

This is simply another solid effort from one of the finest, most innovative modern bands in any genre. One thing I thought curious was a starburst sticker on the package quoting some rock mag or other to the effect that Cuatro Caminos "could be the Kid A of Latin rock." While I'm happy if a comparison to Radiohead when Radiohead is so hot helps Cafe Tacvba move some merchandise, I'd say that that notion misses by one release. This one is nowhere near as experimental as Reves/Yosoy, but rather harkens back to the sound of their earlier work. That's not to say it's a regression, but, like Radiohead with Hail to the Thief, the band has pushed its boundaries and now feels confident in returning a bit to their roots while still incorporating some of the more offbeat elements they've explored in recent years.

In this vein, Cuatro Caminos moves from "Eo," a rollicking, abstract song with the locomotive rhythm fans will recognize from a number of tunes on Reves (and a smattering of electronic squawks and blips, to boot), to "Mediodia," a soft ballad in the style of "Maria" from the band's self-titled album. Things may never quite get as rough and ready as "Ingrata," but songs like "Que Pasara" and "Soy o Estoy" will certainly please those who missed some good, old-fashioned raw Ruben vocals the last time around.

Maybe this disc is "experimental" and a million spins of Reves/Yosoy have just inured me to the point that it sounds tame in comparison. Whatever the case, there's nothing with which to be disappointed here. Whether allusions to Radiohead are on point or not, to have two discs like Hail to the Thief and Cuatro Caminos come out so close together is a rare treat in a day and age when bands like these are increasingly without equals.